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Do you speak to cleaning staff where you work?
I was just chatting to the cleaning lady (I actually wanted to borrow her vacuum cleaner). I always say hi and ask how they are, same with the people in the canteen and office staff.
When I worked as a nurse on a ward, the cleaning staff were part of the team, same with the housekeepers. We needed them and they had a vital role. They came to Christmas do's with us all. Here at university, a lot of the academics really do not engage with the ancillary staff. I was shocked that as a team, none of them actually knew the cleaning lady's name (Carole...with an 'e', she is lovely and just had a new grandson). Is this 'classist' conduct just a British thing, a university thing or do I just work with a bunch of snobs?

Amisja 8 May 22
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17 comments

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1

I don't know as I am not in an academic surrounding. I had a job with the cleaning staff and a university and everyone always seemed polite. I really did not have contact with the professors. In graduate school I cannot recall any professors treating ancillary staff differently. I believe that type of contact was pretty minimal anyway, at least too minimal to make an accurate representation.

1

Of course. Why wouldn't you? I would be embarrassed to ignore them.

3

I'm not an important person in my company. My "office" is shared with a traveling IT guy who stores his shit in it and is also the room where all the wiring for the store originates.

My actual desk is a really a built in shelf with a chair in front of it but someone else empties my garbage and takes my boxes of recycled paper to the back room.

His name is Pete and I thank him every time because he is a human worthy of respect.

I've noticed that the people with titles will not speak to us without titles- not even a good morning or hello even if we speak first but will speak to another title standing nearby.

I think I'm gonna be an asshole next time

You have a title...Decent Human Being...don't make is be Asshole...it seems there are enough of those titles in your place already...

2

Most times they were subcontractors of mine, so all the time.

They also knew a lot more about what was going on in the building than most folks, and were valuable in knowing what was going on with companies renting from us. 🙂

Shouldn't ask to borrow thier "work tools", though.

1of5 Level 8 May 22, 2019

I learned a whole lot about non-dangerous cleaning products...saved me a lot of money talking to people who do it professionally...I know how to clean just about anything now that I pass on to my housekeeper!

1

Don’t know why one wouldn’t. Cleaning staff are people too!🤪

2

I always talked to everybody. I still do. Recently when I was admitted, I had a lovely Hispanic housekeeper who graciously let me practice my Spanish with her. I try to speak and make eye contact with everyone, except those few times that I’m in the fog of pain and so miserable that I can’t.
We are all people. I’m no better or worse than anyone else!

Hugs

1

I love my cleaning staff. They are part of our team and attend all trainings and parties a like

The office staff are not even permitted to join our parties. I might blow off the academics Christmas do and go out the cleaners this year!

1

Why is it "special" to speak to anybody doing their job?

It isn't and its not anything I have even considered prior to becoming an academic. However, I have been surprised by some of my colleagues reaction to their colleagues. Saying that, I am often here early and they are the only people around.

2

After I wrote this, I thought maybe even the post sounds snobby (snooty/stuck up). I'm really not. I am just really grateful that they help us and make our lives easier. In addition, its only because of a series of lucky breaks that I am not cleaning offices too.

I found a cartoon I kept from 1996...it showed two lawyers leaving their office as the cleaning woman was on her hands and knees scrubbing the marble floors...it left an impression on me...there are a lot of "invisible" people that make our lives better, easier, etc. We need them and often take them for granted...I have respect for all those who do these menial tasks to improve my life...the least I can do is to acknowledge them with equal respect and kindness...good post! Thoughtful...

6

lol If it were not for the "cleaning" staff, I would not have become a Big Sister to a wonderful girl in Atlanta. I worked a lot of overtime as a CPA and saw Brenda often...she politely asked if it was OK to vacuum while I was working...she offered to share her dinner with me...that is how I knew I did not like pig ear sandwiches with mustard...ha ha...she had two little daughters that often came to work with her and sat quietly drawing pictures...I still have my "portraits" drawn by them...

I became a volunteer to mentor the youngest one...I watched her grow up and become the first in three generations to get herself out of poverty...she is a cleaning person as well...but she works for Delta and is paid a decent wage to clean out planes...so in case you see her, please be nice and say "hi" to the cleaning staff...

I love this ♥️♥️♥️

6

Rosy :
Rosy was about late 50s when I was mid thirties .
Different hospital , 16 yrs ago . I was the nurse in charge in PICU , married , no kids ( well that did not change 😂), no money issues .
Rosy was one of the unit's permanent housekeepers . Black , skinny , frail , always smiling and looking after all of us clowns . She had a son in jail and a daughter who lived w her .
Every Monday I was bringing foods and bulllshits for everyone . My self , just strolling in w my Starbucks coffee ( back then I was drinking that crap ). And every few weeks I will make a bag w gift card from farm fresh , cash card , this and that for rosy . And it was always an excuse or a holiday in America to do so and not insulting her u know ?
Rosy was riding the bus I will like to add . No car .
When divorce happen for me , I found self w 0 money . My pride and my choice . My licenses and my suitcase, and I returned to my old job and town . There was no Luxury money to spend on stbx bullshit coffee . Had to budget everything to re built a life from nothing .
Rosy apparently noticed . She asked me , " Ms M , no good coffee anymore huh "?
I told her " rosy , f good coffee , I don't even have glassware at my new place 😂😂😂", gas station coffee its juuuust fine !
That month , one Friday , a pay day Friday I remember that very well , rosy came to my office and left me a small package w a note . There was a coffee mug and 30 dollars .
Man , I have cried more over this than I cried over my divorce !
I have not spend that 30 dollars or used the mug ever . I keep them in a shoebox and I visit them at least once a year .
Compassion and empathy and humanity has litle to do w degrees , positions , or possessions. I believe that Bcz I lived 12 yrs later to type all this shit in my car today on a web site here for all of u to read . 😂
Rosy died in 2014. I was already in different hospital and 7 yrs later since this gift of hers . I notified by her daughter who I have kept touch with and last season I was able to coach her son on recreational basketball league 😍
I tell him that his grandma was a lady . A true lady . And I believe it .
The End ,
Bcz I have to get in and feed the boys and go to bed u all .
Good job Amisja for been real w your people ♥️

awww you made me fill up then. People are so lovely

4

In the U.S., we call it "being stuck up". I've always talked to cleaning staff where I worked. Even went out for a couple beers after work with some.

Our field staff were paid twice a month, on a Friday. This was always referred to as being "good Friday".
Although I was the second most senior man in the company, I would often join them them in a bar after they had been paid, and keep them informed of developments within the company, new contracts we had signed, tight deadlines, coming concerns, etc
Morale was high, with no serious labour conflicts.

@Petter , I should have worked for you! 😀

@chucklesIII How well can you build or fix elevators?

3

I grew up with servants - and was brought up to treat them as people, with feelings. It was mainly the "two-year contract" people who regarded themselves as being "above" their servants. We true colonials valued them and their ideas. I'm glad to say that my children and grandchildren also have this attitude of everybody having a worth, and therefore being acknowledged socially.

3

Always did at one job i in lab added some chemicals to help clean better snobs were frowned upon in my family also explains why my ex wife is a ex

bobwjr Level 10 May 22, 2019
3

The cleaning staff usually come through in the middle of the night. If I'm around, we have a quick chat. They usually want to get in with it and so do I. However you look at it, they are fellow human beings.

3

I talk to anyone I see on a daily basis... It's rude to ignore them..

4

Snobs. That's my experience anyway. It's great to know there are people with your approach to others in the world but we don't always realise it. Thank you for sharing this.

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